Thanks to Partner NetGalley and Henry Holt and Co. for the digital ARC of Angeline Boulley’s Firekeeper’s Daughter in exchange for an honest review. The book will be published on Tuesday, March 16.

Daunis Fontaine is an athlete and former hockey player, Levi’s half-sister, bi-racial, an unenrolled member of the Ojibwe tribe, a daughter and granddaughter, a best friend. She’s also loyal and stubborn and tough, dedicated to learning her tribe’s history but equally committed to the other, white and wealthy side of her family, including her mother.

Angeline Boulley’s YA novel Firekeeper’s Daughter is as multilayered as its protagonist. It’s an edge-of-your-seat thriller, a mystery novel, a coming of age story, a romance. It addresses the multifaceted nature of Daunis’s identity without simplifying her or the varied communities to which she belongs.

At the outset of the novel, Daunis is preparing to go to college—already, her life is not quite what she envisioned. Daunis has changed her college plans and decided to attend the local college instead of going away to school. Her mother is fragile after both the recent death of her brother from an overdose and Daunis’s grandmother’s stroke. Daunis is unwilling to leave her mother to deal with her grandmother’s illness alone. She is comforted by the fact that she will attend school with her best friend, Lily, also an unenrolled Anishinaabe.

Daunis lives in a hockey town, and she used to be right in the middle of that culture, one of the few women on the high school hockey team. She no longer plays, but her half-brother Levi is on the Supes, the local hockey team for up-and-comers hoping for a career. When Jamie joins the hockey team, things get interesting: Daunis is determined to resist her attraction for Jamie—she doesn’t want to join the group of women who follow their boyfriends on the hockey team—but she’s definitely interested.

Life is already complicated for Daunis, and then something happens that changes everything. Daunis’s world is upended, and she has to reconsider all of the things she thought she knew.

This book is such an accomplishment, juggling so much effortlessly and never losing forward momentum, even as it’s patient in developing a portrait of this character, her culture, and her place. Daunis is fiercely committed to her community, to connecting with her Ojibwe heritage but also very aware that she comes from two cultures. She has to confront the forces that impact her community: the power dynamics, the violence, and the corruption that threaten her world. This book made me think, it made me feel (yes, there was some ugly crying), and it made me curious to learn more. Firekeeper’s Daughter is such a revelation, and I can’t believe it’s Angeline Boulley’s debut. What a book.

I truly didn’t know what to expect from this book. I loved the cover. I heard NOTHING about it. But I received an email that said I should read it, saw the beautiful cover, and I’m so glad I did.
This story is a YA mystery about life on an Ojibwe Rez in Michigan near the Canadian border.
You get a sense of the prejudices with the people of the tribe, which was fascinating. Also it wasn’t so much about not trusting outsiders, but you could see the pain and distrust the federal government has caused to the community. So the fact that they have to let in outsiders, albeit from the government or non tribal members to aid in the situations... the angst this brought was heavy.
I loved the strong women characters. This culture values women and I loved how even during some shifting times, the women were still revered, still listened to, still honored.
There are some triggers: underage drinking, rape, gun violence, drugs
That being said, it was worth every page. I was sucked in right from the start and was sad that it ended, but loved the ending!

This book was such a heartbreakingly great read! It was a sweet slice of life story until about 18% in, which is when it gets DARK, and I mean dark QUICK. Daunis is such a strong character, and I love her soft, tender moments. There are, obviously, a lot of trigger warnings for this story, but it's SO well done. I couldn't stop hoping she would figure everything out faster! I was surprised by every twist.

This book has been getting a lot of good reviews, and they are well deserved. This book tackles some really hard issues, such as substance abuse, sexual assault and the murder and disappearance of Native women, and does it well for the most part. The plot is well done with lots of twists, solid characters that you can believe in, and you learn a lot about the main character’s culture.

Daunis is a girl between worlds, her father was an Ojibwa and her mother is white. She has faced discrimination from both sides and has had to deal with a lot in her young life. But she is strong, and resilient. She has a strong sense of family and community which will help her in her life to come. She is also smart, and knows how to handle herself in stressful situations. But she also makes some very dumb decisions, which seemed a bit out of character, but I think realistic too. Everyone makes mistakes and has to face those consequences.

The one thing I really liked about this book, was the way the author was able to weave the native traditions, politics, stories and the struggles of her community seamlessly into the narrative. Also the hockey and its importance in the community was nicely done. I learned a lot about the Ojibwa culture and language and didn’t even notice that I was.

The plot overall was good. I liked the mystery and there were some good twists that were hard to spot. The writing was a little rough in places, which hopefully will be smoothed out before publication. The pacing at times also lagged, which did hurt the narrative a little bit. There were also a few times where I was frustrated about things hinted about in Daunis’s past that were influencing her decisions, but we weren’t told what these things were until about 3/4ths of the way into the book. The romance between Daunis and Jamie didn’t entirely work for me either. I liked Jamie, but just never felt the chemistry between them jell.

Overall this was a good read. I liked the story and the characters, even with some of the rougher patches in the pacing and story. This is an author to keep eye on. I think we will continue to see great books from her.

This highly engaging novel tackles a part of American culture that is typically not portrayed in YA fiction. While this novel is a lengthy one, every part of it was needed and relevant. I loved the backstories, the main character's express of cultural beliefs, the romance was hot. I loved the male romantic lead more than I thought I should, but the chemistry between Daunis and Jaime was fire. This was a great thriller.

For some reason I could not get into this story. I felt disconnected to the characters and the setting and the plot drug on and on for me.

Firekeeper’s Daughter was such a fascinating and exciting read for me… overall I really enjoyed and appreciated this book, but there were a few pet peeves of mine that kept popping up and frustrated me to no end.

In these situations, I always think its always a lot more constructive - and easier - to examine exactly what I loved about a book, and what I struggled with. So, let’s break it down!

The thing I loved the most about Firekeeper’s Daughter was the Ojibwe and Indigenous representation. Boulley invites us into her culture and community with pride, seamlessly incorporating the Ojibwe language, culture, ceremonies, and beliefs into her story, while still taking time to show and teach her readers the importance of what they are reading.

I appreciated how Boulley initially used Jamie as an outsider who could ask all of the questions that readers might have in order to help us better understand the details and nuances of Daunis’s world… but sometimes her answers felt a little like info-dumps rather than authentic conversations and subtle world-building.

Daunis was a little too much like that overly-mature and perfectly-scripted YA protagonist trope. I understand that this is a tool that allows teenage characters to take on issues way bigger than themselves, but Daunis often behaves and speaks too unrealistically to feel real, and it makes her a bit difficult to connect with.

When this book finally relaxes into its plot and world, it really finds its groove… and at that point, it becomes electric. There are moments of incredible authenticity and beauty in this story, specifically when Daunis speaks about her family, identity, culture, and desire to belong in her community. I found myself treasuring those moments as I wove through the increasingly tense and thrilling crime-mystery that drives the plot in the second half of this book.

The more I listened to this book, the more I fell in love with it. I almost DNF’ed early on, but I’m so glad that I pushed through because it was 100% worth it in the end.

Firekeeper’s Daughter wasn’t quite a perfect match for my picky YA preferences, but I still loved the incredible Ojibwe and Indigenous representation in this book and I appreciate the incredible importance of this story.

Easily one of my favorite reads this year, and it's only March. Halfway through, I preordered this lovely book because it really is that good. A crime thriller with an MC that is a new adult (18 years old), so it reads more like a new adult category than a YA. Many themes are prevalent throughout, such as identity, community, becoming more independent, grief, healthy boundaries, and more. The characters feel well thought out, and the plot goes at a really steady pace, quickening as the climax draws near. There were adorable moments of brevity, challenging moments of sorrow, and beautiful moments of community. Truly a stellar read. My full review will be released closer to publication date. Thank you so much Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for a copy of this arc in exchange for an honest review!

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

This is one of the most powerful books I have read in a long time. It deals with the clash between cultures, crime, tribal membership, and respect for elders. Although billed as a YA novel, presumably because the main character is 18, the novel deals with adult themes in an mature way.

The FBI and tribal police have asked Daunis to help them as a confidential informant. They are trying to stop the spread of deadly meth on and near the reservation at Sault Ste. Marie, MI. Several of the local teenagers have died and there is word that the problem has spread to other reservations. In the process, Daunis learns about relatives on both sides of her family, most importantly, and about herself.

During the course of the investigation, the reader learns about the tribal customs, rituals, and beliefs of the Ojibwe people native to the area.

Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, libro.fm and NetGalley for the #gifted copy of this book.

I actually ended up listening to this on audio and really enjoyed the narrator. The only thing I struggled a bit with was some of the native language, but it did not detract from the listening experience. In many ways, it enhanced it.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this YA Thriller, but I fell very quickly in love with this story about a Native American teen who is trying to figure things out. Daunis is a very good hockey player and has always felt like she didn't fit in. Her tribal heritage comes from her father. She is an unenrolled member of the Ojibwa Tribe. Everything changes when Jamie comes to town. Daunis finds her self in love. She works undercover for the FBI to finish her Uncle's work. Little does she know many lives will be affected by her work.

This story was a powerful one. I can't wait to read more by this author.

Triggers - murder, rape, drug abuse, death, sexual assault

I won this book from a Yall Write Giveaway and all opinions are my own. Also, thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group.

I was unsure about this book at first because I didn't know for sure what to expect. After all, there was so much hype around it and in my experience, a lot of the time when books are hyped so much, I usually end up being disappointed in them, but that's not the case with this book. This book really does live up to the hype and more.

I do have to preface that if you don't know much about this book, you should make sure you research it before you read it to be aware of the heavy material in it. Also, there is a lot in this book that is heart-wrenching, heavy, difficult to read, and can be triggering. A few things I can think of for possible content/trigger warnings are drug abuse/overdose, murder/suicide, death, adoption, sexual assault, and abuse.

In general, this is a good book with a great storyline in the suspense/thriller genre. With it being an OwnVoices novel and the MC being a Native teen with this unique perspective and insight, it makes the story even greater and I am appalled at reading some of the things in this book. It's eye-opening and upsetting to read and see this glimpse into what life could be like/is like in an Ojibwe reservation. We really need to hear and read more books like this to help us be more aware and want to learn and educate ourselves about others and how we might be able to help them.

This book is a glimpse into a stark reality for Daunis, who is an unenrolled tribal member, that explores and looks at how it is for her to be in that role, with a glimpse and information about the spiritual roles and traditions of this Ojibwe tribe. Daunis is looking forward to going to college with her best friend, Lily and they are living their normal day to day, having fun when she meets a new guy who joins her brother's hockey team and they become friends and get close until the night of a gathering/party when she is witness to a shocking murder and everything is suddenly changed. Then Daunis finds herself in the middle of an undercover FBI investigation trying to help root out a plague from her community before more lives are lost.

If you haven't heard of this then where have you been and make sure you put this on your tbr list asap and get ready to read it when it comes out this month. Also, another reminder to make sure to be prepared for possible triggering and heavy hard to read topics with this story and also remember to keep kleenex handy just in case. It's a very worthwhile read, one of those heart-stopping, intense and full stories much like life can be.

One little footnote to add-this does also have a bit of language in it if that's something that you prefer to try to avoid in stories when possible.

In Firekeeper's Daughter, Angeline Boulley delivers a rich story full of myriad layers of culture, love, spirituality, and questioning. This is a fantastic YA crime novel that delivers so much more than a mystery/thriller than many other books. Daunis, our 18 year old heroine, deals with many issues throughout the novel including feelings about her heritage and where she belongs, her romantic relationships, the death of her loved ones and how her people are being affected by a variety of traumas depicted within this book.

I think this book does a great job of weaving a mystery into more of a coming-of-age tale where Daunis considers who she is and where she belongs and what she needs in her own life to be who she wants to be. We see other characters, like Jamie, having similar revelations throughout the novel. This book has a bit of a slow, methodical start, but it seemed right seeing as how quite a few of the characters were scientists with such a methodical way about them.

I would recommend this book to readers of Courtney Summers and Angie Thomas.

I love that this is the sort of story I've never really gotten to read from this perspective. The way the community was built was one of my favorite parts; I would definitely recommend this.

First of all, thank you to Fierce Reads for an eARC in exchnge for an honest review!

Daunis Fontaine is a biracial nd unenrolled tribal member of the Ojibwe nation. Though her plan is to move away and study medicine, she's stuck around to take care of her mother. She meets Jamie, a new recruit on her brother Levi's hockey team. After a shocking murder, some secrets, and a series of meth-related murders, Daunis joins the investigation, going undercover to uncover what is killing everyone in her town.

This was so so relatable. There's a quote "to some people you'll never be native enough" and it just really struck me. This is an amazing debut, and I definitely recommend it! Also makes for an amazing audiobook!

The mesmerizing & gorgeous cover is only the beginning. The cover itself portrays two sides of one person staring back at each other. She is of two worlds and she is struggles to navigate her life as she figures out where she fits.

From the several chapters I was allowed to read, I gained insight into the main protagonist, Daunis who is both strong physically and mentally but also has underlying self-consciousness about who she is as both worlds do not seem to fully accept her. She is a mixed race, born a secret by a white mother (descendants of wealthy French traders to the land) & native father (Firekeepers are one of the oldest families from Ojibwe tride).

"My Zhaaganaash and Anishinaabe grandmothers could not have been more different. One viewed the world as its surface, while the other saw connections and teachings that run deeper than our known world. Their push and pull on me has been a tug-of-war my entire life."

I absolutely loved what I've read so far, learning about the few phrases in the Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe language). The book is steeped in tradition and culture and the way the author explains it is understandable yet doesn't deviate away from her main story. It allows me a glimpse of their lives.

This novel continues to weave Daunis' two worlds together as something explosive happens that causes her to delve deep into why there are drugs in her community. She works undercover with the FBI.

We need more novels written by and about indigenous/original people of the Americas. What an incredible novel!

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

Daunis grew up in two different worlds. White suburbia and the tribe that her father was apart of before he passed away. When her grandma takes a spill and ends up in the hospital and then extended care living, she decides to put her college life on hold and stay to support her family during their time in need. Daunis meets Jamie, a handsome hockey player that she gets introduced to thanks to her job teaching children how to skate. Things soon spiral out of control and she is forced to use her knowledge that she worked so hard to gain to help the FBI track down a new drug instead of attending University of Michigan. The more and more Daunis gets into the situation, the more uncomfortable she gets with how things are turning out. She now has to decide what world she wants to be apart of and who she is willing to protect.

OK this was a very long read for me and I felt that it kind of slow in building the story. I kept trucking on and I am glad I did. The ending of this book was amazing, and it was worth the many hours where I thought “do I even finish this book?”. I really got pulled into this story because I am from Michigan and grew up learning about different tribes and the kind of racial barrier that there is between tribes and this white suburbia life that Danuis is living. Although I am not Native American, I witnessed firsthand what she was going through from my own friends struggles growing up. I think in that aspect I really liked learning more about the tribe and their belief system.

I will say that there are some triggering things that happen in this book and although I enjoy reading things like this, it was hard to read these sections. I do think that you need to go into reading this book with that warning ahead of time to mentally prepare. I however, did not. So when I got to these sections of the book I had to put it down for a little bit. I do think this book was written well and it was a good story. This is not something I would have probably picked up or even finished but I am glad I did.

Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley is the #ownvoices First People novel we've been waiting for an eon to experience. Boulley deftly crafts a harrowing mystery that combines the misery of a drug-addled small town in the UP, a budding forbidden romance, the love and loss of a best friend, the politics of living in a hockey-town, and all the ways the ones we love can let us down, and us let them down in return in beautiful prose that will haunt me for quite some time.

Boulley's novel is unapologetically Anishinaabe and critically and lovingly examines the complexity of being a Nish woman in the modern age. Her novel reveals the intense prejudices and problems still afflicting our indigenous communities, but in particular, our women. The entire novel revolves around relationships that the protagonist shares with those in her community, her complicated family, her friend circle, and with her former teammates. All of those relationships are seismically shifted one night when an irrevocable choice is made right before Daunis's eyes.

Aside from the harrowing topics broached and explored, Boulley threads so much authenticity into Firekeeper's Daughter. And while the traditional topics are addressed, this book is so much more than the problems that plague us, it is a celebration of a culture that refuses to be silent and accept defeat.. It's a lee-lee into the void "for every girl and woman pushed into the abyss of expendability and invisibility" and the knowledge that we are not alone.

4.5 Stars
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I want to first thank both #NetGalley and #MacmillanPuclishers for this gifted E-ARC in exchange for an honest review! Some things could definitely be triggering to some people, so please did your research before picking up this book!
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I want first to say that I really enjoyed this book! Not only was it a powerful story overall, but the amount that I learn in this book was remarkable. I really enjoyed how we followed Daunis (the main character) and her life after a major event. Throughout the book, many different traditions are introduced through the Ojibwe community, whom the author is also a part of in real life. I love seeing the difference between keeping with the tradition of her community and trying to find her place in the world.
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Overall, this book did have a slower start than I may have liked for my own personal preference. That didn’t last long as soon as the major event in the book kicked off, then I could not put the book down. I would be honestly shocked if this book does not end up being one of the best books of the year. After reading this book, it has made me want to actively seek out other books by similar authors.
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Honestly, I cannot recommend this book enough; it is completely different from what I see most people read on bookstagram or in general. I think this book was great, and I am excited to see how successful it is once it is officially released. I recommend this book to literally anyone but especially those that want to learn about a community that I often do not see as much as I want to.

First and foremost I would like to thank the author and publisher for allowing me early access to this title.

I read the book and then was granted access to the audio copy and wanted to wait to write my review. Long story short, I LOVED IT. My gosh this was an explosive debut from Angeline Boulley. I was constantly questioning the motives of everyone. The tone of the narrator really made this book go from a five star to a five billion star. Her depth and understanding of Daunis as an #OwnVoices narrator brought so much more to the character than what was on the page alone. This is a book that will stick with me for a long time. I don't want to give too much away, so just know if you like thrillers and are exploring more indigenous, diverse authors, this is one to put on top of your TBR.

I am marking this book as one of my favorite books and top recommendations for anyone looking for a good murder mystery-type thriller novel, regardless of age. Though it was hard to read at times — whether it was because of difficult-to-read-content (TW for SA) or because it was heavy in information — it was 100% worth it. Of my own (and the US education system) fault I have very very little exposure to Native American culture and the different nuances of various tribes but this book was a very welcome change to that. Not only was the plot good (the last 100 pages was constant twists and turns, like truly I did not stop gasping), but this book was INCREDIBLY well written. I never felt too confused about what was going or what certain things meant. It was really, really truly well done. Whatever Angeline Boulley does in the future will be an automatic buy for me.

If you’re looking for a good book (this is not an easy read, just a heads up) with a little bit of romance sprinkled in (pretending to be lovers trope for the sake of a mission, anyone? one of my favorites!) with amazing characters and even better writing, this book is for you. Just: wow.